Community Improvement Grants in Massachusetts

Explore verified institutional foundations, typical award distributions, and active grantmakers supporting community programs across Massachusetts.

Total Capital Deployed
$1.19B

Across 6,301 verified foundation awards

Typical Grant Size
$189,491

Median award for community in Massachusetts

Open to New Applicants
87%

Of active community foundations accept unsolicited proposals

Community Improvement Grant Funding Landscape in Massachusetts

Nonprofits focused on Community Improvement in Massachusetts received $1.19B across 6,301 verified foundation grants over recent tax filings. The typical (median) community grant in Massachusetts is $189,491, though awards range from smaller $5,000–$25,000 community programming grants up to multi-million-dollar institutional and endowment commitments.

Major Massachusetts funders actively supporting community initiatives include Combined Jewish Philanthropies of Greater Boston INC, Boston Foundation INC, The San Francisco Foundation, alongside national foundations funding Massachusetts organizations, youth initiatives, and community programs. Of the active institutional grantmakers funding community in Massachusetts, 87% accept unsolicited grant proposals from new applicants, offering immediate funding opportunities for growing 501(c)(3) organizations.

Top Funded Cities in MassachusettsBy Total Capital
Boston46,379 grants awarded
$8.7B
Cambridge9,486 grants awarded
$1.65B
Various84 grants awarded
$523.9M
Worcester6,227 grants awarded
$296.4M
See Attached13 grants awarded
$173.2M
Grant Size Distribution TiersBy Grant Count
Grassroots & Seed (<$25,000)75%
Ideal for emerging nonprofits, project pilots, and local programming
Mid-Tier & Capacity ($25K – $100K)15%
Core operational funding, staff expansion, and multi-year programs
Major Endowments ($100,000+)9%
Capital campaigns, statewide initiatives, and major institutional grants
Top Institutional Foundations Funding Community Improvement in MassachusettsRanked by annual charitable capital distribution • Form 990-PF & Community Foundations
FoundationHeadquartersAnnual GivingTypical GrantApplication StatusAction
Combined Jewish Philanthropies of Greater Boston INC
EIN: 042103559
Boston, MA$273.6M$27KAccepts New ApplicantsView Profile →
Boston Foundation INC
EIN: 042104021
Boston, MA$228.4M$25KAccepts New ApplicantsView Profile →
The San Francisco Foundation
EIN: 010679337
San Francisco, CA$218.4M$26KAccepts New ApplicantsView Profile →
United Way of Massachusetts Bay INC
EIN: 042382233
Boston, MA$30M$50KAccepts New ApplicantsView Profile →
Health Resources in Action INC
EIN: 042229839
Boston, MA$26.2M$120KAccepts New ApplicantsView Profile →
Massachusetts Higher Education
EIN: 042254705
Boston, MA$20.3M$165KAccepts New ApplicantsView Profile →
Elmina B Sewall Foundation
EIN: 010387404
Freeport, ME$14.4M$32KInvitation OnlyView Profile →
Third Sector New England INC
EIN: 042261109
Boston, MA$12.5M$84KAccepts New ApplicantsView Profile →
Charles Stark Draper Laboratory INC
EIN: 042505372
Cambridge, MA$4.6M$146KAccepts New ApplicantsView Profile →
Madison Park Housing Corporation
EIN: 042743779
Roxbury, MA$4.5M$4.5MAccepts New ApplicantsView Profile →
Dana-farber Cancer Institute INC
EIN: 042263040
Boston, MA$4.4M$15KAccepts New ApplicantsView Profile →
Metrowest Health Foundation INC
EIN: 042121342
Framingham, MA$4.1M$13KInvitation OnlyView Profile →
New England Rural Health Association
EIN: 010532229
Richmond, VT$1.3M$29KAccepts New ApplicantsView Profile →
Way Finders INC
EIN: 042518368
Springfield, MA$362K$76KAccepts New ApplicantsView Profile →
Greater Lawrence Community Action
EIN: 042397449
Lawrence, MA$75K$75KAccepts New ApplicantsView Profile →
Showing verified grantmakers • Commercial DAFs & university endowments excludedView all in Massachusetts directory →

Frequently Asked Questions About Community Improvement Grants in Massachusetts

How much grant funding is available for community in Massachusetts?

Over $1.19B has been deployed across 6,301 verified foundation grants in Massachusetts according to recent Form 990-PF and 990 filings.

What is the typical community grant size in Massachusetts?

The median grant award is approximately $189,491. However, local grassroots initiatives often receive $5,000–$25,000, while regional endowments can exceed $250,000+.

Which foundations in Massachusetts accept unsolicited proposals?

Approximately 87% of verified institutional grantmakers funding community in Massachusetts accept unsolicited applications without a pre-existing relationship.

How can my nonprofit find foundations that match our mission?

Use NPO Grant to analyze peer award ledgers in Massachusetts, identify foundations with active giving history in your city, and contact verified program officers directly.